Reproduction Flashcards
What is a species?
A species is a group of organisms that are capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. Members of the same species share similar characteristics and can reproduce with one another.
How do animals choose a partner for mating?
Animals may choose mates based on physical appearance, behavior, scent, or vocalizations. This choice can be influenced by evolutionary pressures, such as the desire to find a mate with desirable traits or to ensure successful reproduction.
What is the difference between males and females?
Males and females typically differ in their reproductive anatomy, gamete production (sperm in males, eggs in females), and secondary sexual characteristics. These differences are often driven by evolutionary adaptations related to mating and parental care.
What pattern of gamete production and release is there in humans?
Humans undergo a process called gametogenesis, where specialized cells (spermatogonia in males and oogonia in females) undergo meiosis to produce gametes (sperm and eggs, respectively). Gametes are released during sexual reproduction.
How do male and female gametes come together in animals?
Male gametes (sperm) are typically released into the female reproductive tract, where they swim towards the female gametes (eggs). Fertilization occurs when a sperm penetrates and fuses with an egg, forming a zygote.
How do gametes come together in plants?
In plants, male gametes (pollen) are transferred to the female reproductive structures (ovules) through various methods, such as wind, insects, or animals. Fertilization occurs when a pollen grain reaches an ovule and fertilizes the egg cell within.
What happens during and after fertilization?
During fertilization, the genetic material from a sperm cell combines with that of an egg cell to form a zygote. The zygote undergoes cell division and development, eventually growing into a new organism.
How are gametes produced with half the usual number of chromosomes?
Gametes are produced through meiosis, a specialized form of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half. This ensures that when sperm and egg cells combine during fertilization, the resulting zygote has the correct number of chromosomes.
What are sex chromosomes?
Sex chromosomes are a pair of chromosomes that determine an individual’s sex. In humans, females typically have two X chromosomes (XX), while males have one X and one Y chromosome (XY).
What determines the sex and gender of a child?
The sex of a child is determined by the combination of sex chromosomes inherited from the parents. Gender identity, however, is influenced by a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors.
Cell division - Mitosis and Meiosis
Mitosis is a type of cell division that produces two genetically identical daughter cells, used for growth, repair, and asexual reproduction. Meiosis is a type of cell division that produces four genetically unique daughter cells, used for the production of gametes.
What are the differences between sexual and asexual reproduction?
Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of gametes from two parents, resulting in genetic diversity and offspring with unique combinations of traits. Asexual reproduction involves the production of offspring from a single parent, resulting in genetically identical clones.
Assisted Reproductive Techniques, applications, and Implications
Assisted reproductive techniques (ART) include procedures such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT). These techniques are used to help individuals and couples overcome infertility but also raise ethical, social, and legal implications regarding issues such as genetic screening, embryo selection, and the creation of multiple embryos.
